Matthew Francis (Chairman)

Matthew is a specialist in Public Law and Procurement ­­­Law and advises a range of public sector clients on all aspects of the law, including municipalities, provincial departments, and statutory bodies. Matthew has also developed considerable expertise in Environmental Law and Labour Law.

Matthew was employed as a senior lecturer for a period of approximately 3 years at the former University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg) where he lectured administrative and local government law. He has practised extensively in the field of public law and is recognised by his peers as an expert in the areas of local government and administrative law. Matthew has often been requested by the Law Society to present Continuing Legal Education Seminars for practising attorneys in the broad area of public law and was also commissioned by the Law Society to write a series of articles on local government law for the Attorneys Profession which was published in De Rebus during 2005 and 2006. He also serves on the Provincial and Local Government sub-committee of the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society.

Matthew has represented, and continues to represent, a broad range of public-sector clients, including clients in the education sector. These include a large number of the municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, many provincial departments, entities such as Umgeni Water and Robben Island Museum, and universities such as the Durban University of Technology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Zululand, and the Tshwane University of Technology.

Yuri is the Head of the Litigation Department. He practised as a director at one of KwaZulu-Natal’s largest firms until he joined Matthew Francis Inc, on 1 May 2012. Yuri has extensive litigation and dispute resolution experience that traverses a diverse range of specialised disciplines in both the public and private sectors.

He focuses primarily on the resolution of commercial, contractual and procurement related disputes that arise within the context of public sector procurement law, local government law and construction law, as well in the private sector, through formal litigation or alternative dispute resolution. He has represented a number of high profile clients and often appears as counsel in both the Durban and Pietermaritzburg Divisions of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court. He is a specialist litigator and trial lawyer who has recently litigated high profile matters in the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Focus:

Kimeera is an attorney, notary and conveyancer. She provides advice on a wide range of matters from Property Law and Conveyancing to Commercial Agreements and Evictions. She is also experienced in High Court and Magistrate Court Litigation.

Kimeera completed her LLB degree in 2007, was admitted as an attorney in 2009 and as a Conveyancer and Notary Public in 2014, thus possessing the coveted “triple” admission. In 2010 Kimeera joined the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa as a Regional Court Prosecutor, before returning to private practice. Kimeera joined Matthew Francis Inc. as a director in February 2013.

She has extensive civil litigation experience and currently specialises in property law, representing high profile clients like Transnet. Kimeera has attended courses pertaining to property law, commercial and residential evictions and recoveries.

Focus:

Alicia obtained her LLB degree in 2002 from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg and was duly admitted and enrolled as an attorney of the High Court in 2004, as a Conveyancer in January 2005 and as a Notary Public in 2009. She accordingly possesses the coveted “triple” admission.

In 2014, Alicia joined Matthew Francis Inc. as a Senior Associate with her focus on High Court commercial litigation and dispute resolution, as well as on high balance commercial recoveries. She also specializes and has extensive experience in legal matters pertaining to land rights & restitution.

Alicia’s hard work and dedication resulted in her being elevated to the position of director in June 2016. In addition to managing a varied litigation practise Alicia is developing her conveyancing and notarial skills and attends to the deeds office lodgements and registrations.

Focus:

She graduated with her BSoc Science degree majoring in Legal Studies and Political Science in 2011, followed by an LLB degree in 2014 from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg). Janine joined Matthew Francis Inc in 2012 as an administrative assistant and later commenced her articles in 2013. Upon her admission as an attorney, she secured a position as an associate and to date has been elevated to a senior associate.

During her time at the firm, Janine has been largely a part of the conveyancing department where she gained vast experience in conventional conveyancing, mass low cost housing, township establishment, registration and cancellation of real rights in respect of estate related transactions and various aspects of Notarial Practice.

Focus:

Conveyancing and Property Law.

Nadia completed her LLB degree in 2012 and was admitted as an attorney in 2015. She joined Matthew Francis Inc. as a professional assistant in 2015 and was thereafter appointed as an associate. In 2016 she completed the civil litigation and public law and procurement courses with the Law Society of South Africa Legal Education and Development.

She has experience in Magistrate’s Court, High Court and Labour Court litigation. She mainly practices in labour law, administrative law, local government and procurement as well as property related litigation.

Focus:

Public Law, Litigation, Procurement Law, Town Planning Law.

(Candidate Attorney)

Lawrence obtained his LLB degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg in 2016. He joined Matthew Francis Inc. as a Candidate Attorney in 2017.

(Candidate Attorney)

Tamlyn Swinny completed her LLB at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College in 2013. She is currently completing her LLM in Business Law at UKZN.

(Candidate Attorney)

Sinembali Shezi obtained her BA LLB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2016. She commenced her articles with Matthew Francis Inc in 2017.

(Candidate Attorney)

Nontuthuko obtained her LL.B degree at the University of KwaZulu – Natal, Pietermaritzburg. While at the University of KwaZulu – Natal she was a member of The Students for Law and Social Justice. She joined Matthew Francis Inc. in January 2017.

(Candidate Attorney)

Themba obtained his LLB degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg in 2017 and commenced his articles of clerkship in January 2018.

(Candidate Attorney)

Brogyne completed her LLB at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2017 and commenced her articles of clerkship in January 2018.